No bear or wolf conflicts
since incidents last month
By Sarah Makowsky
Reporter/Photographer

Are Wolves a

Kerkeslin pack member.
PHOTO BY MARK BRADLEY

I

Danger to People?

n the past year and a half, the
Jasper National Park Pyramid
Wolf Pack has killed two offleash dogs, aggressively approached others
(both on-leash and off) and most recently
at t a cke d a lea shed dog a s t he ow ne r
attempted to defend it with bear spray.
I have said to others that this is “highly
unusual behavior for wolves,” because this
is what the general consensus was when I
did my biology degree almost two decades
ago. I may have been partially right: a wolf
attacking a leashed dog beside its master is
certainly more unusual than a wolf attacking
an off-leash dog, or any other member of the
Canid family for that matter. They will take
necessary opportunities to feed themselves
and their pack. But to say aggressive behavior
toward people and their pets is highly unusual
behavior isn’t quite right either.
When I was a biology student in the
early ‘90s, what we knew of wolf behavior
was based largely on observations recorded
in the late ‘60s and ‘70s, when biologists
concluded that healthy, free-ranging wolves

posed little or no threat to human safety. In
2002, Mark McNay, a now retired biologist
f rom Alaska, pen ned an oft refer red
to repor t i n which he suggests these
observations were made during a cycle of
low wolf populations.
Indeed, in the late 1800’s wolves were
still the most widely distributed mammals in
North America. But once Europeans began
to settle the continent, wolves quickly lost
ground. Agriculture, aggressive hunting,
poisoning campaigns, and in the ‘50s, ‘60s,
and ‘70s, government-sanctioned wolfcontrol programs, ensured the extirpation
of wolves from large portions of Canada.
The U.S. was hit harder – very few, isolated
packs persisted in the lower 48 states.
With wolves at low numbers, there
was very little record of wolf aggression
toward people in Canada and Alaska. Some
researchers speculate that it wasn’t just low
numbers, but that wolves surviving the human
campaign against them were more wary
animals, while the bolder ones were shot.
Whatever the reason, when McNay
r e v ie we d 8 0 c a s e s of h u m a n -wol f
encounters, he only found one case involving

COLDWELLBANKER.CA FOR THE MOST COMPLETE LISTINGS. JASPER 780-852-1999 | HINTON 877-967-1988 (TOLL FREE)
The ONLY area Realtors® with offices in JASPER (622 Connaught Drive, upstairs)
AND HINTON (above M&M Meats). Call us today to view any listed property.

An Independently Owned and Operated Member Broker of Coldwell Banker Affiliates of Canada Inc.®

Above & Beyond

JASPER-HINTON REALTY

JASPER

Fantastic family
home with huge
living spaces,
incredible south
facing views,
four decks, and
large double
CALL CAM 780-852-8779 attached garage.

1231 CABIN CREEK $815,000

HINTON

In just one word;
MAGNIFICENT! This
incredible property,
just west of Hinton,
is nestled snuggly
onto just over 4
acres in the foothills
CALL CAM 780-852-8779 of the Rockies.

unprovoked, aggressive behaviour between
1900 and 1969. But, between 1969 and
2000, 18 cases were documented, including
“three cases of serious injury to children
since 1996.” Still not a big number when
you consider the number of people attacked
by dogs (300 people were killed by domestic
dogs in the U.S. alone between 1979 and
the late 1990s). But enough to question
the belief that encounters with these wary
carnivores were virtually unheard of.
McNay suggested that “increases in
wolf protection, human activities in wolf
habitat, and [an increase in] wolf numbers
occurred concurrently with increases with
unprovoked aggressive encounters.” In
other words, it appeared that more wolves,
in combination with more people in their
habitat, had resulted in more encounters.
It’s important to remember that wolves
are aggressive for different reasons. In an
attempt to analyze the encounters, McNay
developed a classification system and
concluded “most aggressive encounters
resulted from self-defense, defense of [other
wolves], or rabies, or were triggered by the
presence of a domestic dog.” Interestingly,
McNay noted that wolves rarely vocalized
during unprovoked, aggressive encounters,
but wolves that were defending their dens
consistently displayed loud vocalizations.
Other researchers have confirmed and
strengthened these conclusions.
T he re we re 11 ca se s i n McNay’s
research where habituation played a role in
unprovoked encounters – over half of the
serious wolf encounters he documented.
McNay considered wolves “habituated”
if they repeatedly approached people, or
repeatedly visited areas frequented by
humans, without showing much fear.
In the roulette game that is human
encounters with wildlife, it appears that in

Jasper our ball has landed on this rare dark
spot of wolf habituation. But the situation
may not be as random as it appears.
For example, a favourite prey species of
wolves are elk. Elk numbers are declining in
the park, but out-of-town herds are declining
faster than those near the townsite. Elk
use the town, campgrounds and outlying
accommodation to hide from predators that
are usually wary of humans. As elk numbers
dwindle, are wolves becoming more reliant
on larger herds near the townsite? Is this
forcing more encounters with people and
their pets? Are there more dogs in town
than in past decades, and more dog-walkers
using the trails, increasing the chance of
encounters further still?
It may be diff icult to scientif ically
quantify exactly what’s happening at the
intersection of all these factors, and maybe
that’s not the point. We find ourselves in
a situation that needs active management.
Few of us want the destruction of wolves,
but cases reviewed by McNay and others
tell us that in some instances, wolves, like
bears, can be dangerous for people. Denying
this is to deny wolves their birthright as a
predator, intelligent and opportunistic
enough to once rule the continent.
What can we take away from past cases
of aggressive wolf encounters? Biologists
l i ke McNa y r e c o m m e n d i n c r e a s e d
vigilance and precaution, especially if
there is any possibility wolves are at higher
risk of habituation. He suggests negative
conditioning may be required with wolves
that show no fear of people. But preventing
habituation in the first place is the key. Right
now, the Pyramid Pack needs enough space
to hunt natural prey, and less opportunity to
become habituated to people and their pets.
As trail-users, we can play a role in ensuring
this pack stays healthy and wild.

There haven’t been any incidents of concern
with wild animals in the time since a bear
and wolf were both destroyed last month.
“It’s been an unusual year for everything,”
said Steve Malcolm, wildlife conf lict
specialist for Jasper National Park (JNP),
referring to the wolf that was destroyed for
attacking Karl Peetoom’s dog, Maggie,
and a townsite-habituated bear that met the
same fate.
In relation to the wolf attack near Trail
2, the Pyramid Bench area has been closed
to dogs since. Malcolm is running a 30-day
assessment of the area. Staff are using
remote cameras, tracking and reported
observations. The recent snow also makes

Something for
the whole
family!

it easier to track the wolves.
The pack typically re-visits a site once
every 10 days, so Malcolm wants to conduct a
three-period visit. The trail should be open to
dogs near the end of November, but an official
announcement will be issued, he said.
The attacking wolf was part of the Pyramid
pack, although “It’s looking more like it was
an independent attack,” said Malcolm.
Since the attack, there haven’t been any
other incidents of concern with the 80 to 100
wolves in JNP. Five of the Pyramid Pack
were spotted behind the transfer station
and while a rumour circulated that one was
injured, Malcolm hasn’t found anything.
The Signal Pack is active on the other side
of the river and hunting elk, but hasn’t shown
food-conditioning concerns, said Malcolm.
The Snaring Pack is also actively hunting.

W h i l e v e n t u r i n g o n t r a i l s , i t ’s
recommended to avoid traveling at dusk or
dawn, go in groups of three or more, carry
bear spray and closely supervise small
children. And as always, dogs must be
leashed in a national park.
In the time since the bear was destroyed
on Oct. 4, unfortunately two were hit on the
road, however, bears are now in hibernation,
said Malcolm.
It takes awhile for bears to become
habituated and comfortable around humans.
The bear that was destroyed had the entire
summer to be food-conditioned through
public feedings. Once habituation occurs,
bears feel comfortable to enter campsites

and poke around backyards.
It’s difficult to un-condition a bear,
said Malcolm. Intervening a bear before it
becomes an issue in town is the best option.
Overall, Malcolm said there’s “fantastic
public support” with Jasperites respecting
animals and reporting sightings.
It’s counter-intuitive to purposely not
report a bear or any other wildlife sighting
because without intervention, the animal
moves closer to habituation.
“Allowing that pushes them to comfort,”
said Malcolm. “I encourage everyone to
understand that we need to understand where
[the animals] are and what they’re doing.”
reporter@fitzhugh.ca

2 storey commercial building, with basement.
8 bachelor suites and 2, one bedroom suites on
top floor. Main floor - 5147 sq ft. Basement 4216 sq ft. Built in 1965 with 2nd floor added
in 1996. Some space available on main floor.

1494 Sq. Ft. 5 year lease with 5 year option.
Includes fixtures and equipment, inventory available

This Saturday, Nov. 10 at the Jasper Activity Centre,
be sure to come out and Skate with Santa, between
10 a.m. and noon. The event is being organized by
Santa’s Anonymous, the food and toy drive that collects
items to ensure Jasperites-in-need experience a merry
Christmas. Donations will be accepted during the event.

Marmot set for its earliest opening

With 76 cm of snowfall to date, a minimum of five runs
will be open on the lower mountain, serviced by the
Eagle Express high-speed quad chair, on Nov. 9. The
School House T-Bar and Magic Carpet will also be open.
More lifts and runs will open with additional snowfall.
Resort facilities open at 8 a.m. and lifts at 9 a.m.

Movember ‘staches growing

It’s that time of year again when men sport their finest
moustachery to raise funds and awareness for men’s health.
Movember spans the month of November and is
intended to promote discussion of often secretive men’s
health issues like prostate cancer and mental health.
Marmot Basin employees are growing moustaches
all month and on Saturday, Nov. 24, the mountain hosts
Marmot Movember. There’s a race and other activities
for families to get involved in. Proceeds will be donated
to the Movember Prostate Cancer organization.
Curtis Hrdlicka from the Edmonton Movember
committee is organizing four buses to transport 200
or more people to Jasper to participate in Marmot
Movember, capped off with an evening gala at the
Jasper Brewing Company. There will be many prizes
for costumes and moustaches.
In town, Source for Spor ts is also making
a Movember contribution with the limited edition
Sherwood Mo’ Stick. Fifteen per cent of every stick
purchased goes to Movember Canada.
According to Movember Canada, the Canadian
Movember Campaign raised $42 million in 2011.

Thursday, NOVEMBER 8, 2012

National Park News november 8
Mountain Biking Award

The International Mountain Biking Association’s (IMBA)
Leadership Award is presented to an individual or
organization that has significantly impacted mountain
biking in Canada and beyond. IMBA chose Parks Canada
for the award because “Parks Canada has opened doors
for mountain biking by developing national guidelines
that deem mountain biking an acceptable activity within
National Parks, and creating new trail tools and best
practices that benefit trail users and mountain bikers
throughout Canada and the world.”
Following the Jasper Trails Project and three years of
implementation, Jasper National Park now offers the most
extensive multi-use system in the Canadian National Parks.
Once the Trail Plan is fully implemented, there will be over
280 km of multi-use trails in the Three Valley Confluence.
Hikers, bikers and horse users can take in an easy outing
to access stunning views, or challenge themselves to trails
with technical terrain features and steep elevation gains.
Through closures of key wildlife corridors, the official trail
network also ensures we respect Jasper’s wildlife, giving
animals the space they need in their natural environments.
Parks Canada also works with IMBA’s Canada Trail
Care Crew program, in which a two-person team of trailbuilders and educators travels across Canada teaching
sustainable trail-building practices. As mentioned in last
week’s Fitzhugh, IMBA’s AJ Strawson and Rachel Raven
recently visited Jasper and worked with Parks Canada
and volunteers on a new trail near Pyramid Lake.

Winter Driving Safety

Winter has arrived here in Jasper National Park, and
drivers are advised to take appropriate safety precautions.
Tell someone your planned route, and have a winter safety
kit in the vehicle. Remember that winter tires or chains
are a legal requirement for driving the Icefields Parkway
between Oct. 1 and Apr. 30.

Cougar kills livestock in the Robson Valley

Before departing on a trip, drivers should check
road conditions and plan accordingly. In Jasper, drivers
can call 780-852-3311 (local conditions), check AMA`s
website at www.ama.ab.ca, or the Province of BC`s
website at www.drivebc.ca.
When driving in winter:
• keep your gas tank and windshield washer fluid full.
• allow at least twice the normal braking distance on
wet or slick surfaces.
• remember that posted speed limits are designed for
ideal road conditions; slow down when driving on
snow, ice, slush or rain.
• use extreme caution when approaching highway
maintenance equipment like snow plows, salt and
sand trucks. Never pass on the right, and know that
passing a sand truck may leave you on your own on
a slippery highway.
• low beams are more effective than high beams in
fog or heavy snow conditions.
• check tire pressure regularly, as tires lose pressure
in colder conditions.
• do not use cruise control or overdrive in snow, ice,
slush or rain. Both cruise control and overdrive
can result in an unexpected gear shift causing a
loss of traction.
• watch for black ice, often hidden by shaded areas,
on bridge decks and at intersections where exhaust
and packed snow can cause ice up quickly.
In mountain areas, weather may change quickly and
frequently, and patches of weather may be localized,
meaning it is hard to accurately predict road conditions
over longer stretches of road. On the Icefields Parkway
(Highway 93) there are very few private vehicles, no
cell phone coverage, no fuel available and no Parks
Canada staff patrolling over night. Regular service on
the Icefields Parkway occurs during daytime hours
only, with no maintenance scheduled outside of 7 a.m.
to 3 p.m., as noted on signage at each end of this road.
See NPN page 5

A young, female cougar was caught in a trap and put down
last week after killing livestock on a Dunster farm.
Bob and Phyllis Krueger, who live a couple of kilometres
from the Dunster Store and raise sheep and goats, lost a
lamb to the cougar early Wednesday morning, and a couple
of nights after that, one of their full-grown goats was killed.
“Wednesday early morning, a lamb was taken out of the
yard between the house and the barn over an electric fence
into the wood,” said Phyllis.
“The dog tipped us off to it,” added Bob.
“He had a different kind of bark, a serious bark. We found
the carcass in the wood, and also where the cougar had been
lying down. He ate part of the lamb. I probably ran him off.”
“The cougar ate quite a bit of the lamb by the time we
found it,” added Phyllis.
Early Friday morning, Nov. 2, there was a second kill in
Krueger’s yard, this time a full-grown goat.
“The goat kill was in the pen where the animals are
kept,” said Phyllis.
“The cougar jumped into the pen and killed the goat
near the manger, then dragged it 40 yards and tried to get it
over the fence,” said Bob.
However, the cougar was unsuccessful in dragging the
goat out of the pen, so it buried it behind another manger
in the snow.
“The other goats were so panicked,” said Phyllis.
“They wouldn’t go near the manger. They were all
bunched up, tense and on edge.”
Bob and Phyllis Krueger assume that the cougar is the
same one that killed two goats belonging to Dunster residents
Shane and Lorrie Bressette the first week of October. Todd
Hunter, conservation officer out of Prince George, had set a
trap on Bressette’s property, but that proved unsuccessful.
Now, a month later, the cougar, if it is the same one,
came back and killed more livestock.
The Kruegers contacted the Conversation Officers
Service (COS) in Prince George, and conservation officer
Mike Bartos drove out on Friday afternoon and set four leg
hold traps just before dark.
“I used the killed goat as bait,” he said.
“The cougar had it buried and covered in snow to come
back to later. I moved it so I could anchor the trap and goat
to a tree.”
That same evening, the cougar got caught in the trap
when it came back to its kill.
NPN from page 4

While the Parkway is sanded daily, no salt
is used and the road is left as a “compact
snow” road. In some cases even smooth
sanded compact snow can result in slippery
driving conditions; it is difficult to keep
sand on an icy road and low temperatures

“The cat was caught on Nov. 2 at approximately 8:30
p.m., a few hours after the leg holds were set,” confirmed
Bartos, who came back out to Dunster the following day to
remove and examine the dead cougar.
“Based on the tracks it looks like it’s the offending cat,”
he said.
The cougar had a sizable, but superficial looking, wound
on his left hip.
“Maybe the injury limited the cat from taking down
its regular prey such as deer so it took to easier prey like
penned up livestock,” said Bartos.
“Killing domestic animals is learned behaviour. It has
experienced success. It most likely wouldn’t change its
behaviour.”
While Bartos couldn’t confirm whether or not the
trapped cougar was the same animal that killed Bressette’s
goats, given the proximity of the two properties, the
likelihood is high.
“Hopefully this will put an end to the killings,” he said,
advising people to nevertheless not let their guard down
and be aware.
“When hiking, carry a walking stick and keep children
close by,” he said.
He also recommends hiking in groups and keeping dogs
on a leash.
“If you run into a cougar, make yourself big, yell,
scream, be threatening and intimidating. Do everything
you can to change its mind. If it attacks, attempt to fight it
off and don’t give up.”
“It is important that the public reports abnormal and
threatening wildlife behaviour right away to the COS call
centre at 1-877-952-7277,” said Hunter, adding that the COS
is the lead agency for dealing with wildlife issues and has a
24-hour call centre.
“We were more successful with the second incident
because the carcass was not removed. The first setup was
also less ideal for a trapping set and the trap was removed to
avoid catching a non-target animal such as a bear.”
reporter@fitzhugh.ca

the fitzhugh 5

QUOTE of the week
It’s been an unusual
year for everything.
Steve Malcolm, wildlife
conflict specialist for
Jasper National Park.

TREKS & TRAVEL
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things
you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw oﬀ the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in you sails.

We will be closed October 28th to December 6th,
we will reopen again on Friday December 7th.
Thank you for your patronage & sorry for any inconvenience.

email
advertising@fitzhugh.ca

to place your
ad in the
Fitzhugh

can make ice removal impossible. In the
winter, Highway 93 is not an ideal route for
drivers who are either unfamiliar with snow
or winter driving conditions.
It is always a driver’s responsibility to
plan travel based on their own comfort level
while winter driving. Stay safe out there!
~ Parks Canada

Fire at Mountain Motors. -- [April 1944] The Lovat Scouts were stationed in Jasper in 1943-44. Their supplies and gifts
for friends and family were stored in Mountain Motors, which burned down just before they were due to leave Jasper.
History at a Glance is brought to you by the Jasper-Yellowhead Museum & Archives.
Online: www.jaspermuseum.org / Twitter: @jaspermuseum

Fitzhugh.ca

question of the week...

The Jasper Children’s Choir is preparing for their upcoming
show, DiversiT, on Nov. 18 at the Activity Centre.
The show is inspired by Beyond Singing, a charity
project comprised of Tina Turner and two other singers,
Regula Curti and Dechen Shak-Dagsay, who integrate
different religious prayers and chants into songs as a means
of encouraging unity among citizens.
The show is about “bringing unity to the forefront,” said
director Grace Shea, and finding the “common wealth”
that we all share.
Shea’s working with the children, teaching them about
peace and finding out what it means to them. In DiversiT,
the children will sing different chants and prayers from all
over the world.
Also, t wo mandalas, one for peace and one for
protection, will be presented at the show. They were made
by children during a summer music camp.
Currently, the choir has 12 members, but “the idea is
that the choir will grow,” said Shea. She’s “just ecstatic”
that directing the choir combines two of her passions:
children and singing. “To hear them is gorgeous.”
The event also features singer Matricia Brown and a
dancer from Grande Cache. Robin Campbell, minister of
Aboriginal Relations will also be present.
The show begins at 7 p.m. and admission is by donation,
with proceeds benefitting Habitat for the Arts and Children
of Autumn Foundation.
reporter@fitzhugh.ca

sarah makowsky Photo

Director Grace Shea leads the Jasper Children’s Choir
in a warm-up excercise. The group is preparing for its
performance at DiversiT on Nov. 18.

Jasper Society is holding their 2012 Annual General Meeting

What circumstances would represent an acceptable risk for the proposed
twinning of the Trans Mountain Pipeline through Jasper National Park?
a) Nothing – no risk is acceptable b) 24 hour visual monitoring of every foot of the pipeline
c) Advanced remote 24 hour monitoring and instant shutdown procedures
d) The pipeline has a proven track record, the risk is already acceptable
e) It doesn’t matter, the true risk is to our coastline

volume 8, issue 1
Jasper’s independent newspaper is published every Thursday by the
Aberdeen Publishing Limited Partnership.
The content is protected by copyright. Reproduction by any means is
prohibited except with the permission of the publisher.

the fitzhugh 7

Children’s choir
sings new tune

Dear Bullies
You know who you are, even if you don’t want
to admit it, although some of you are proud of
what you do. There are more than a few of you
on school playgrounds, but many of you grew up
and brought your conditioned behaviours to the
workplace, to our streets and more subtle venues.
You are arrogant. You think you are the ultimate
judge of both character and skill. You believe
you are a master not only of your chosen field
but also of most any field regardless of personal
knowledge. You probably proudly declared you
were a genius at some point in your life.
You take the time to point out what’s wrong
with other people. You point out weaknesses, odd
behaviours, bad fashion choices and irritating
characteristics. You are sure to note how some
people are not as smart, as brave or as fast as you
are. Your words are harsh and sting like a whip.
You are always right, having never made a mistake
in your life. If something you are connected with goes
wrong it is always the fault of someone else. When was
the last time you admitted to a mistake? I guess it is
hard to be humble when you are perfect in every way.
You believe your heightened sense of social
awareness, superior skills and evolved intellect gives
you the right to put people down, and particularly
those you’ve decided deserve it most. You hunt for
the chance to point out mistakes. You relish the
opportunity to initiate negative stimulus. You poke,
you prod and you irritate your target. Some of you
have done it for so long it is simply second nature.
The suffering you cause gives you power and you
feed off of it. Your words cause pain and action; you
see it, you feel it and it makes you feel powerful.
We know who you are, too. You don’t think we
do, but that is where your arrogance gets in the way.
We put up with you because, unlike you, we all see
something important or special about you. Deep
inside we know you are actually hurting. We know
you are scared, uncertain and your self-esteem is
scarred. Unlike you, we know everybody makes
mistakes, even you, and we will always forgive you
for them. We will always give you the benefit of the
doubt and we want that special part of you to shine
through. We want you to join us, not control us.
We don’t want you to hurt people anymore.
We want you to feel the joy of acceptance. We
want you to see that everyone has a special
spark; we see yours. We aren’t perfect, neither
are you, but there is hope for all of us.
You are going to have hard week. Next week is
Anti-Bullying Week and you are going to be facing
some issues. If you need to talk, let us know.
editor@fitzhugh.ca

Jasper, AB,

reporter: Sarah Makowsky
reporter@fitzhugh.ca

RATED 14A

Corrections: All stories are checked for accuracy,
but a newspaper is a human endeavour and although we strive
for perfection, we make no claim to it. Any error will be
corrected in the next edition of the paper.

24-HR INFO LINE 780-852-4749 • ACROSS FROM THE TRAIN STATION
PROGRAM SUBJECT TO UNAVOIDABLE CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE

8

the fitzhugh, Jasper, AB

ThursdaY, NOVEMBER 8, 2012

Thursday, NOVEMBER 8, 2012

Jasper Park
Funeral Serv
ices
FOOTHILLS C
REMATORIU
M

ROBERT C. JOY, DIR
ECTOR

S
R
E
K
C
BElets & Restaurant

7808523699

Cha

TH, JASPER
U
O
S
3
9
Y
A
HIGHW

9
780852377

WWII vet recalls Project

military service
W

By Sarah makowsky
Reporter/Photographer

hen Bob Dowling signed on to serve
Canada during the Second World War,
fear was the furthest thought from his mind.
“You want to go where the action is you’d
hope to go overseas,” said the Camrose native
who has resided in Jasper for many years. “When
you’re young, you think you’re invincible; there’s
no such thing as fear.” With his father and
brother already in the forces, Dowling was
so enthusiastic about joining that initially
he was t ur ned away because he was
too young.
In 1942, he joined the Royal Canadian
Air Force and commenced bomber pilot
training. “I served my air force career all
in Canada, and Newfoundland, which wasn’t
part of Canada at the time,” he said.
Dowling’s training spanned the war’s remaining
years. After completing basic training, he moved
on to learning and flying airplanes, specifically
the twin engined B-25 Mitchell, a popular North
American bomber used in the war.
A member of the 418 City of Edmonton
Squadron, Dowling continued training and
patrolling in Canada, but he and his comrades
always thought about their friends on foreign soil.
“The air gunners went overseas quickly and
many never came back,” he said. Whenever a list
of casualties arrived at the base, Albertan names
were bolded, so everyone knew right away who
wasn’t coming home alive. He and the others lost
many friends.
With that in mind, “you become serious as
you get older,” he said. The excitement of serving
overseas lost its luster.
When peace time arrived, Dowling recalls
mass suspicion.
“We weren’t cer tain if the cessation of
hostilities was the end.” The war ended so quickly
that there was fear that things could start up
again, so with the squadron called back to service,
Dowling resumed patrol.
“I never flew commercially,” he said, adding that
he always flew in his own plane. Dowling remained
a reservist in the 418 squadron
until 1958.
During the last years of
his military career, Dowling
met a large nu mber of
Australians, one of whom

7808523391

625 PATRICIA STREET

7808523443

J&D
Gifts

602 PATRICIA STREET

7808524262

614C CONNAUGHT DRIVE

7808523230

GHT DRIVE
U
A
N
N
O
C
0
4
6

0
2
5
5

2
5
8

0
8
7

1
780852330

564
18007232

Jasper’s Top Secr et WWII pr oject

I

416 CONNAUGHT DRIV
E

SARAH MAKOWSKY PHOTO

Jasper resident Bob Dowling served in the Royal
Canadian Air Force as a bomber pilot during
WWII and was in the reserves until 1958. He
recalls the enthusiasm to fight overseas he and
many other young enlistees experienced at the
beginning of the war.

he still corresponds with and they’ve visited each
other in their respective countries.
While Dowling pursued other endeavours after
his military career, Remembrance Day marks a
time of reflection and appreciation.
“Remembrance Day has become important to
everyone,” he said, especially with international
conflicts still occurring. Another key aspect is the
poppy fund, which is a “trust fund for benevolent
purposes inside and outside of Jasper.”
Young, promising lives cut short by war is
something Dowling never forgets, and he takes
careful time to commemorate this grave loss.
“It’s very important for me.”
reporter@fitzhugh.ca

Habbakuk

By DANIEL BETTS
Editor

t was 1942 and hungr y Ger many U-boat
packs endlessly harassed allied supply lines
attempting to cross the north Atlantic to war-torn
Europe. By August of that year, Prime Minister
Churchill of Great Britain was forced to review a
discouraging number of military defeats.
During this desperate time the National
Research Council was tasked with the consideration
of innovative and perhaps bizarre ways of turning
the tide of war.
Enter Geoffrey Nathaniel Pyke, whose biography
reads like a James Bond novel. During the First
World War, Pyke snuck into Germany with the
intention of sending dispatches to a newspaper, the
Daily Chronicle. He was nearly shot by German
authorities and landed himself in an internment
camp. He later managed to escape with another
English inmate. During the Spanish Civil War, Pyke
had the innovative idea of outfitting Harley-Davidson
motorcycles with sidecars designed to deliver hot
food to the front and casualties back to safety.
In 1942, Pyke’s reputation landed him a job as
advisor to Lord Mountbatten, chief of combined
operations in Great Britain. Pyke recalled how, after
the sinking of the Titanic, an international ice patrol
had tried in vain to destroy icebergs threatening
commercial shipping lines. This gave Pyke the idea
of constructing ships out of ice, which appeared to
be impervious to the weaponry of the time.
Pyke’s idea was called “brilliant” and “sound”
by Proffessor J.D. Ber nal, a physicist and
Mountbatten’s chief science advisor. In December
of 1942, Churchill was most enthusiastic about the
idea and told the British armed services chiefs to
give the project high priority.
Pyke’s aircraft carriers were designed to be 600
metres long, 90 metres wide and 60 metres deep.
They would weigh two million tonnes. Twentysix electrically driven motors would propel the
massive vessels at a top speed of seven knots and
would house 2,000 crewmen in specially designed
metal compartments.
The vessels were to be constructed using a
special material dubbed “Pykrete,” a mixture
of water and wood pulp that was frozen solid.
Pykrete turned out to be stronger, more stable and
less likely to melt than pure ice. It was suggested
a “bergship” made of Pykrete would only sustain
minor, repairable damage from a torpedo. A series
of pipes imbedded in the ice and circulating cold

air would keep the hull permanently frozen.
In 1943, Jasper became the focus of this highly
secret attempt to thwart the German supremacy at
sea. On Patricia Lake, a 1:50 scale, 1,000 tonne
model of Pyke’s “bergship” was constructed
under the code name “HABBAKUK.”
T h roug h t he w i nt e r, Habbba k u k wa s
constructed to specs. Few who worked on the
project knew exactly what they were building.
During the summer, after the model was built, the
cooling systems designed to keep the ice hull from
melting was tested. The model remained cool and
afloat in Patricia Lake, just as planned.
While it was proved that ice-hulled ships were
technically possible to build, unfortunately there
were some obvious limitations to the project.
Firstly, it was revealed that it would not be possible
to build Habbakuks before the spring of 1945.
Churchill was most annoyed that the ice vessels
would not be ready to be positioned off the coast
of Norway in time for the invasion of Europe.
The ice ships would also cost $100 million and
require 35,000 people to construct. Cost of
material and labour made the construction of
these vessels impractical.
By the summer of 1943, while Habbakuk was
floating in Patricia Lake, the Allies were seeing
some progress in the battle of the Atlantic. New
anti-submarine devices were being more and more
successful and longer ranged bombers were being
deployed ahead of schedule.
In August of 1943, the refrigeration equipment
was removed from the model. The ice quickly
melted and the model disintegrated sending the
heavy iron ducts and wood structure to the bottom
of Patricia Lake.
In 1988, the Alberta Underwater Archaeology
Society affixed a bronze plaque to a washed stone
concrete cairn and lowered it onto a small bench
on the bottom of Patricia Lake overlooking the
remains of the model. The plaque reads:

Operation Habbakuk

A secret W.W. II project involving the use
of ice in ship construction. This vessel, built
January to April, 1943, was a prototype. For more
information, contact the Canadian Parks Service,
Jasper. Please respect our underwater heritage.
One of Jasper’s many contributions toward
the efforts of the Second World War, was forever
immortalized beneath the icy waters of Patricia
Lake.
editor@fitzhugh.ca

EVERY SOLDIER’S FORGOTTEN HERO
By William G. Barker, VC
Special to the Fitzhugh

A

s a guide I often talk about
how many of the mountains
around Jasper are named after heroes
of the First World War. The first tourist
attraction in our park was named
in 1915 after the Empire’s greatest
heroine, nurse Edith Cavell. The
Queen even visited her shrine in 2005.
Above town is the Victoria Cross
Range where six peaks are named
after western Canadian soldiers who
earned this highest medal of bravery in
the First World War.
I’ve always been curious why
the greatest hero, holding the record
for valour decorations in the history
of Canada, the British Empire, and
the Com monwealth of Nations,
doesn’t have a peak named after him.
Forgotten in time he lies in a crypt

with his wife’s family name. His:
Victoria Cross, the Distinguished
Service Order and Bar, the Military
Cross and two Bars, two Italian
Silver Medals for Military Valour,
the French Croix de Guerre and three
Dispatch Mentionings for bravery can
be found in Ottawa’s War Museum.
This man even flew the future King
Edward over enemy lines.
This was a time when heroism was
recognized by moments of bravery.
Billy Barker fought in the trenches
during some of the worst Canadian
battles of the war and went on to fly
over 900 known combat hours. He
was the tip of the sword that constantly
took the fight against Germany. On
numerous occasions Billy was offered
safe duties, but returned again and
again to battle. He was responsible for
saving thousands of allied troops and
killing thousands of the enemy.

B a r k e r b e c a m e C a n a d a ’s
second highest scoring ace with 50
destroyed and was officially credited
the highest “destroyed” ratio for any
RAF, RFC or RNAS pilot during
the First World War. The Sopwith
Camel he modified became the most
successful fighter aircraft in the
history of the RAF, shooting down
46 aircraft and balloons. Starting as a
Canadian farm boy private without a
high school diploma he finished as a
Lt. Colonel in a very class-conscious
military. Barker made friends with
kings, a prince, and the highest of
social and military ranks; he was
known as every soldier’s hero.
Fictionalized characters based on
Billy were immortalized in literary
works of: William Faulkner’s (Soldier’s
Pay), F. Scott Fitzgerald’s (The Great
Gatsby) and Ernest Hemingway’s (The
Snows of Kilimanjaro, The Sun Also

Rises, and A Farewell to Arms).
After the war, Barker’s business
partner was the highest scoring fellow
ace and VC winner Billy Bishop.
Together they started one of Canada’s
first airlines and performed together at
the CNE in Canada’s first synchronized
stunt flying show despite his legs being
permanently damaged and suffering
severely limited movement in his left
arm from wounds less than a year
old. He had been wounded five times
before this in the war. Billy became
the first acting director of the new
RCAF, was the first president of the
Toronto Maple Leafs and competed
in cross-country air races.
A tragic hero, Billy suffered the
rest of his life from the physical
effects of his 1918 gunshot wounds.
Like many other soldiers, Barker
struggled with post traumatic stress
and alcoholism during the Roaring

the fitzhugh 9

Jasper, AB,

ail

nm
more tha

GHT DRIVE
632 CONNAU

1
780852315

STREET
622 PATRICIA

4
780852584
RIVE
218 CONNAUGHT D

7808523195

620A CONNAUGHT DRIVE

7808523631 RODGER &
D
IREL&ASON
LICITORS
BARRISTERS

610 CONNAUGHT DRIVE

7808524905

0
780852320
M
TOURIS

JASPER

8
5
8
3

2
5
8

0
8
7

AVEL
R
T
&
S
K
E
TR
DRIVE
610 CONNAUGHT

7808525473

‘20s. He died i n 1930
when he lost control of
his biplane trainer during a
demonstration flight for the RCAF.
Billy Barker’s funeral, the largest
national state event in Toronto’s
history, was attended by an honour
guard of 2,000 soldiers. The cortege
stretched for more than a mile and a
half, and included the Chief of the
General Staff and his senior officers,
the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario,
the Mayor of Toronto, three federal
government cabinet ministers, and six
other Victoria Cross recipients. An
honour guard was also provided by
the United States Army. Some 50,000
spectators lined the streets of Toronto.
During our remembrance maybe
it would be f it ti ng to consider
honouring this forgotten hero with a
mountain named after him amongst
his peers.

Following his
Ruth Bowen always knew her grandfather was famous. He
was a family hero and a hero among mountaineers.
He was even considered the first professional mountaineer,
making his living by writing and lecturing about climbing.
In 1931, he led the first ascent of India’s Kamet, which at
the time was the highest peak yet climbed. He climbed
mountains in his home country of Britain, he climbed the
Alps and Himalayas and mountains in North America.
And, during his short life, he managed to publish 27
books about mountaineering and mountains, including two
about the Canadian Rockies.
Despite all of his success, Bowen resisted the idea that

forever

her grandfather, Frank S. Smythe, was a hero. That is, until
she made her first trip to Canada in 2010 and discovered
there is a mountain named after him.
“When I found out about Mount Smythe, I was totally
gripped by the story,” she said of the 3,246-metre high
mountain in the Winston Churchill Range in Jasper
National Park. “I don’t know what surprised me more, that
there is a Mount Smythe, or that I didn’t know about it.
“I wanted to know how it was named,” she said. So, for
the past two years, Bowen has devoted her life to following
her grandfather’s footsteps.
She’s researched the archives at the Whyte Museum in
Banff and the Jasper Yellowhead Museum and Archives,
she’s read his books on the Rocky Mountains and she’s
embarked on some of the same journeys Smythe undertook
70 years ago.
And what she’s discovered is that Mount Smythe
is an unofficial name – although there doesn’t seem to
be an official one – that came into use shortly after her
grandfather’s untimely death.
Smythe died of malaria in 1949, two weeks before his
49th birthday.
It was two years later that a group of American climbers
proposed that a yet unnamed peak near Mount Alberta take
on the name of Smythe.
In a letter dated Sept. 25, 1951, Charles Wilts wrote:
“We felt that with the recent death of Frank Smythe, a peak
might be named after him in the Rockies, and would like
to suggest that this peak be named Mt. Smythe. Assuming
that the peak is of sufficient ‘caliber’ to bear his name,
certainly the inverse is true.”
In the Whyte Museum, Bowen couldn’t find a reply
to Wilts’ letter, nor could she find a reason why Mount
Smthye isn’t an official name.
Another unanswerable question that she has often
considered is “what Frank himself would have thought
about being immortalized in this way.”
It’s an interesting question, considering Smythe thought
very little of how the Rocky Mountains had been named.
So little, in fact, that he devoted a few paragraphs to just
that in his book Rocky Mountains.
“… the Rockies now possess the unenviable distinction
of the ugliest and most haphazard nomenclature of any
range in the world. They have been named anyhow: after
those who climbed and explored them, after those who
have never seen them, after kings and queens, generals,

From its inception 10 years ago with two
high school classrooms, to adding a portable,
renting and renovating space in the Legion,
adding yet another portable, then a proposed
new school in 2014, École Desrochers has
much to celebrate.
A warm-up celebration on Canada Day
technically marked 10 years of the school’s
existence, but the official party happens
this Saturday (Nov. 10) at 6:30 p.m. at the
Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre.
Ten years ago, due in part to a handful of
pro-active parents, 14 students made up the
Francophone school’s first alumni with then
principal Marie-Claude Faucher leading
the way. Two high school classrooms
t r a n sfor me d i nt o É cole De sroche r s,
housing prématernelle, maternelle (preschool, kindergarden), elementary grades
and an administration office.
During the second year, the school had its
first secondary student, in collaboration with
submitted PHOTO

Two years ago, Ruth Bowen discovered there is a mountain
in Jasper National Park named after her grandfather,
mountaineer and author Frank S. Smythe. Since her
discovery, she has devoted her life to following in her
grandfather’s footsteps, reliving hikes he wrote about in
his books and recreating photos he took. Bowen will speak
about her journey, Nov. 15, at the Jasper Yellowhead
Museum and Archives.

politicians, cities, places and notorieties of all kinds …
after anything and everything.
“Such naming offends against good taste; it is an insult
to Nature that man should seek to commemorate himself
by imposing on her his worthless titles.”
With this in mind, Bowen said she thinks the naming of
a mountain after him would likely embarrass Smythe. But,
she said, she’d like to think he’d also be honoured.
Bowen, who is now living in Yellowknife, NWT, will be in
Jasper, Nov. 15, to talk about her grandfather and the naming
of Mount Smythe. The Alpine Club of Canada is presenting
the event, which begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Jasper Yellowhead
Museum and Archives, located at 400 Bonhomme St. The
presentation is free and open to everyone.
reporter@fitzhugh.ca

Remembered
Wear a Poppy in Remembrance

The poppy has stood as a symbol of remembrance, our visual pledge to never
forget all those Canadians who have fallen in war and military operations.
The poppy also stands internationally as a “symbol of collective reminiscence”
as other countries have also adopted its image to honour those who have paid
the ultimate sacrice.

Multi-Purpose Hall - Activity Centre

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11TH, 2012
Remembrance Day Service 10:45 AM
Immediately following the service a reception will be held
Royal Canadian Legion
at Branch #31 of The Royal Canadian Legion in Jasper.

the high school. Operating out of the high
school required adaptation, especially with
distractions like the high school bell schedule,
noise in hallways and younger children
sharing a bathroom with older students.
“Gym has always been an issue,” said
Roxane Thomas, Grades 5 and 6 teacher.
They use the high school gym when
available, or the activity centre, but “most
of the time with physical education we have
to go outside.”
G r a de s 1 a nd 2 t ea che r, Su z a n ne
Villeneuve, has been with École Desrochers
since opening day and like Faucher, has
witnessed the school’s growth and change.
“It’s unbelievable,” she said.
She and Faucher recall a time that six
high school students decided they wanted to
learn French. Starting with the basics, they
eventually graduated with their bilingual
diploma.
“They were really motivated,” said
Faucher, who now teaches French and social
studies at the secondary level, and cites
graduating students as the “best gift.”

Moving the school to the Legion in 2006
marked another transition.
“We needed space,” said Faucher.
Initially, the school board was concerned
because the school shared a wall with a bar
and renovations were in order.
“If you can imagine a pool table in here,
among other things,” she said, gesturing to
the office and corridor.
After the last portable addition, the
school continues to grow. “We’re bursting at
the seams,” said principal Hélène Gendron,
of the school’s current space constraints.
Other Francophone schools in the
district haven’t experienced the same unique
challenges as École Desrochers, and if they
have, it hasn’t been for as long.
When staff from other schools visit,
“They said ‘OK, we won’t complain about
our school anymore,’” laughs Faucher. She,
Thomas and Villeneuve recall a humorous
story when someone once asked where the

staff room was located.
With space challenges, staff and students
obviously have to be flexible and creative,
but all agree that being in such a small
space and working in close proximity makes
everyone a lot closer.
“We think about how to serve the needs
of the students as if they were in any other
school,” said Faucher.
The new joint junior/senior high school
and Francophone school to open in 2014
allocates 2,315 square meters for École
Desrochers and is “exactly what we’re asking
for,” said Faucher. “It’s time to grow.”
A potential challenge after moving
into a larger space is maintaining a family
atmosphere, but all three agree that the
school’s “roots” will remain strong and
allow for continued growth.
“That’s why we’re still here,” said
Villeneuve.
reporter@fitzhugh.ca

• Block 44, Lot 70 – 1026 Lodgepole Street,
Jasper – The proponent has applied to vary the
maximum permitted width of a mobile home
and the maximum permitted size of an
enclosed porch (leave as existing).

• Block 43, Lot 14 – 1027 Bonhomme Street,
Jasper – The proponent has applied to vary the
maximum permitted number of detached
accessory buildings, maximum size of a
detached accessory building and relaxation on
the width and length of the parking space.

Parties affected by these applications are
invited to make written or oral presentations
to the committee. Oral presentations at the
meeting are limited to 5 minutes and are by
appointment only. Written presentations to a
maximum of 500 words may be submitted to
the Development Ofce. To make an
appointment or submit a written presentation,
contact the Parks Canada Development Ofce
at 780-852-1884 no later than 1:00 PM on
Wednesday, November 14, 2012.

Development Permits and the Planning &
Development Advisory Committee Notices will
be posted in the lobby of the Jasper Heritage
Railway Station - Parks Canada administration
building, 607 Connaught Drive, Jasper, and also
announced on the following web-site:
http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/ab/
jasper/plan/plan6.aspx

Last week, as many as 50 people attended the Jasper
National Park (JNP) public forum on Nov. 1, held at the
Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre. Attendees from such
places as Edmonton, Hinton and Valemount braved winter
driving conditions to join Jasperites in receiving an update
on the operations of JNP over the last year.
“The forum provides us with an opportunity to report on
the progress and implementation of the plan and to profile
work and priorities for the next year,” said Greg Fenton,
superintendent of JNP during the forum.
Over the course of 35 minutes, Fenton reviewed key
issues and updates from last year’s forum, noted some of
the extraordinary events that occurred over the past year
and discussed the effects of Budget 2012. Also mentioned
were future planning measures being discussed, including
Marmot Basin Ski Area Planning and adjustments to winter
recreation access to some areas in the backcountry to make

it harder for wolves to enter caribou habitat.
JNP is reviewing and finalizing guidelines for new
recreational activities being considered for JNP, including
aerial adventure parks (zipline), non-motorized hanggliding, paragliding and traction kiting.
“Stay tuned for more information on upcoming planning
and opportunities for public engagement and involvement,”
said Fenton. “Although we have budget reductions, what
the mandate is and what we do will not change, it is how we
do things that will likely change into the future.”
During the question and answer period of the forum,
concerns ranged from the amount of negative feedback the
new recreational activities received, to the safety of the park
in regard to the proposed twinning of the Trans Mountain
Pipeline, which some attendees felt was a significant threat.
“We are aware of Kinder Morgan’s plans, we aren’t the
regulator, just like the first time,” said Fenton. “We will be
involved but it is the National Energy Board (NEB) that
oversees the proposals and processes of public engagement.”
Being that JNP is the land manager that the pipeline

runs through, Fenton indicated the park will be involved in
the decision-making process and “certainly in the oversight
of an environmental assessment.”
Attendees expressed concern about available resources
in the park to deal with an oil spill.
“Like any organization that has operations or infrastructure
where there could be failures there has been pre-planning done
whether it is emergency response or business continuity,” said
Fenton. “I am confident in the fact that they [Kinder Morgan]
have all the necessary response planning in place.”
The second part of the public forum allowed participants
to choose from two discussion sessions. Participants could
either discuss the development of a green building policy
for the Jasper community or discuss living with wildlife.
In the Living with Wildlife discussion, participants
were asked, what’s working well with bear, wolf and elk
management and what is missing? Participants were also
asked how Parks could better communicate with residents
and visitors about wildlife.

By John Wilmshurst
Special to the Fitzhugh

Hockey mom Doreen Zenner had barely settled into her seat,
steaming arena coffee in hand, when Jasper PeeWee Bears’
winger Adrian “smiles” Nayak had the Bears up one nothing;
a rebound off a shot from Tegan “top cheddar teegs” Barker.
Twenty seconds into their first league game of the season
against the Whitecourt Wolverines last Saturday, the Bears
served notice that they are the top guns in this league. By the
end of the period, with an additional marker from Barker,
two from “crazy” Cooper Hilworth and no less than four

acrobatic saves from Severin “splits” Golla, the Bears had
stretched their lead to 4 nothing. One period into the season
and the Bears were looking to go supersonic.
Jasper’s defensive unit of Drew “roughrider” Tank,
Magnus “blueline” Stenlund, Noah “twinkletoes” Kwasny,
and Brendan “howie” Auger, strong in the first period,
shutting down the Wolverines, decided to get on the score
sheet in the second. Taking a pass from Tank, Kwasny
floated his way through the unsuspecting hometown squad
and shelved Jasper’s fifth. But as a reminder to Jasper that
they were still in the building, Whitecourt scored two quick
ones on Golla (one a whiffed clearing attempt) shortly before
the mid-game goalie change. Golla was replaced by Isaah
“pipes” Kwasny who has been solid in net this year, stepping
in with his brother from the Hinton hockey ranks. Although
he let a breakaway shot elude him three minutes into his
start for the Wolverine’s third goal, he was a force after that,
backstopping a scoreless rest of second and third period.
This game would end 8-3 in favour of Jasper, with
Auger, Nayak and Hilworth all finding the net in the final
frame. With their first regular season victory painted on the
fuselage, it was time to do a fly-by of the Whitecourt pool.
Game 2 of the weekend swing against Whitecourt was
a much tighter, more physical match. Golla started in net

In the Green Building Policy discussion participants
were asked what challenges existed in developing
green buildings? What are the most important features
of a green building policy? What are some practices
or polices in other communities and how can residents
be encouraged to follow a policy once it is developed?
Both discussions were lively and informative.
JNP staff received much feedback and information
from those in attendance, which they will use to both
enhance their service in regard to interactions with
wildlife and in developing a green building policy.
editor@fitzhugh.ca

Stargazer
For week: November 7 to 13, 2012

Amber Stewart (left), land use planner and public forum organizer, and Greg
Fenton (right), superintendent of Jasper National Park take questions during the
Jasper National Park Public Forum. DANIEL BETTS PHOTO

Jasper Inn
& Suites

again and shook off the hotel cobwebs early, making some
great saves during a first period Wolverine onslaught. Half
way through the frame, against the grain of play, Barker
buried the curd off a pass from Hunter “the brain” Zenner
to put Jasper up by one. But then less than 20 seconds later,
Whitecourt countered, finding a seam over Golla’s pad to
tie the game at one. Patience, an apparent virtue, was not in
evidence in this game though, as Hilworth lit the lamp for
the Bears a scant nine seconds after the Wolverine marker.
The first period ended tied at two when Whitecourt eluded
Golla again before the buzzer.
The second period was noteworthy for both a steady
parade to the penalty box, and Hyunki “the bullet” Kim’s
goal that put Jasper ahead on a nice feed by Elvis “the king”
Grontzy-Slack. The Wolverines were held scoreless, first
by Golla and then by Isaah Kwasny who stood tall between
the pipes. Kwasny continued his shutout through the third
and left it up to Rhys “the monkey” Malcolm to provide the
insurance marker when he labelled a goal with under five
minutes to play. The game ended 4-2 Bears, and that was
all she wrote for the year’s first regular season road-trip.
The boys are well on their way to earning their wings, and
will test their perfect record this Saturday against Edson
at 2:15 p.m. in the Jasper Arena. See you at the rink.

465332 Alberta LTD
Bright Spot Restaurant
is now hiring a

is currently hiring

Now hiring

Sales Associate
full-time/part-time

Previous sales experience an asset. Must be available
to work weekends. Apply in person with resume.

Next regular meeting Monday November 12 at 7:30 pm. Come out for an
evening of Whist on Monday November 26th at 7:30 pm. December meeting
on the 10th at 7:30 pm. All events held at Seniors Lounge in Activity Centre.

Museum Coffee Hour

Jasper-Yellowhead Museum & Archives, 400 Bonhomme Street. October 16 to
April 10 - Join us each Tuesday morning at 10:30am for an hour of historical
interest. Everyone welcome.

Coffee Talk

(Jasper Adult Learning Council) - Come and practice your English speaking
skills in a fun and relaxed environment at 631 Patricia St. The meetings will
take place on Monday evenings from 6 - 7:30pm starting on October 15.
Everyone is welcome. Call 780-852-4418 ext. 3 for more information.

The Summit Singers

Jasper’s Community Choir, have started another season of singing and music
appreciation and you are welcome to join them! Practices are held every
Monday Evening from 645 pm in Jasper United Church. Do you love to sing?
Are you interested? Call Morley or Val at 780 852 5533.

Young at Heart: Healthy Living for Seniors

We are a growing company
looking to expand our team. We are currently hiring for the position of:
Mountain Park Lodges
Human Resources
96 Geikie St., Jasper AB
Phone: 780-852-2505
Fax: 780-852-5813
Email: hire@mpljasper.com
Interested in a career?
www.mpljasper.com

SECURITY
AGENT
We offer great beneﬁts, bonus, career
growth and temporary subsidized housing.

Bi-monthly meetings. 2nd Thursday of each month at Pine Grove, 4th
Thursday of each month at Alpine Summit. All seniors welcome to join us in
sharing ideas, learning, inspiring, supporting and having fun! Call LaurieAnn 780-852-6640 (AHS) or Patrick 780852-6542 (COS) for more info

Help is available from the Jasper Food Bank Thurs nights. Drop in at St.
Mary and St. George Anglican Church at the corner of Miette and Geikie St.
Families 6pm and individuals 7pm. Call 780-852-8800 for more info.

Town Council Meetings

Meetings on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 1:30pm in the
meeting room on the second floor of the EMS building.

Al-Anon

Parent Link Centre

Senior’s Curling

401 Geikie St. Open Tues. to Sat. at 4pm. Children welcome until 8pm. Cash,
meat draws and chasing the Queen at 5:30 PM Saturdays. Free shuffle board
available. 780-852-3740.
Now open at 627 Patricia Street.

Habitat for the Arts

631 Patricia St., Open Tues. - Sat. 12 to 5pm. 780-852-4747.

Jasper Municipal Library

Toddler & Preschool Story Time Mondays 10:30am. For more info 780-8523652 or jasperlibrary@town.jasper.ab.ca

Thrift Shop Hours

The Jasper Thrift Shop is open on Monday and Wednesday from 7 to 9pm
and Thursdays from 1 to 3pm. Located in the 700 Block on Geikie Street in
the United Church basement

ASK (Advocates for Special Kids)
Meetings Tues. 9am at the Community Outreach office.

From 1:30 - 2:30pm in the Activity Multi-purpose hall. Senior’s 55+
Welcome! Need new curlers get team together and join us. Contact Arlene
Tomie 780-852-3088 or Lydia Stanko 780-852-5679.

12 Step Meetings

Alcoholics Anonymous - meetings Monday and Saturday at 8pm. Narcotics
Anonymous meetings Thursdays at 8pm. All meetings are held at the
hospital in the Cavell room. For more information or to talk to someone
regarding alcohol, drugs or gambling problems please call 780-852-2909.

You can’t be sure whether someone significant in your life is really
telling you the truth or treating you honestly. The probability is
that there is some sort of deception present, but you may be the
source. Don’t leap to conclusions.

Libra: You have favourable aspects concerning the law,

S

is currently hiring for:

MAINTENANCE STAFF, HI-JASPER &

JASPER PARK WILDERNESS PROPERTIES

HI-JASPER WILDERNESS PROPERTIES

Hostelling International is looking for an Assistant Manager
to join our team in Jasper! This position supports the overall
operation of the hostel in Jasper as well as the wilderness
properties in Jasper National Park. The anticipated start date
is November 19, 2012; starting salary is commensurate upon
experience, and includes an annual 6% vacation entitlement,
comprehensive benets package and a one bedroom
on-site apartment provided as a taxable benet.

Hostelling International is looking for Maintenance Staff
to join our team in Jasper! This is a full-time position and is
responsible for the overall maintenance of the interior and
exterior of the properties within Jasper National Park.
The successful candidate will have a good working
knowledge of: carpentry, electricity, plumbing, water
systems (ltration, chlorination, pump), solar energy systems,
propane equipment, as well as knowledge of Parks
Canada regulations. A valid driver’s license is a requirement Class 4 is an asset. This position requires someone
who works well independently, has great organizational
skills, and willingness to work outside year round.

To List your event it must be Absolutely Free (Fundraisers
for Organizations will not be listed)Submissions are only
listed as space allows and at the Publisher’s Discretion.

Virgo: You may be feeling irritable and a little nervous.

travel, publishing, the internet, education and church activities.
People will invite you everywhere. Your emotional or physical
health may require some attention. An old “wound” is involved.
You may feel some conflict between joining and holding back.

vehicle for sale

Al-Anon Family Group help friends and families of alcoholics - meetings
Friday at 7pm at the hospital in the Cavell room. For more info please call
780-852-4518 or 780-852-4578.

Your attention is channeled into home, hearth,
and family during this period. Elderly people or things may
be requiring your attention. External demands may become a
nuisance because you want to concentrate on that which is more
immediate. Sudden problems may develop with your high tech
equipment or internet connection.

The “rules and regs” weigh heavily on your shoulders with Saturn
in your sign. This is normal at the beginning of this transit. Within
a few weeks you will become acclimated to the responsibilities.
This week, a part of you wants to escape. Don’t burn bridges in
your wake.

ASSISTANT MANAGER, HI-JASPER &

Royal Canadian Legion

G

emini: Activities involving children and/or lovers prove
to be great fun. On the other hand, you may be feeling confusion
concerning your partner or business contacts. Double check
on facts, data, and directions that come your way. Pay careful
attention to communications and messages.

Scorpio the Phoenix (Oct. 23 to Nov. 20):

is currently hiring for:

COMMUNITY LISTINGS

T

aurus: You are in a sensitive frame of mind at this time.
One or more friends may step on an old wound unintentionally. If
you must, lick the wound for a bit. But your better solution is to
pour extra energy into exercise or other self-improvement routine.
Think about making one or more attractive improvements in your
environment.

Leo:

real estate for sale

COMMUNITY SERVICES

A

ries: Surprise, changeability, and general rebellion are
the qualities prominent this week. You may be the one who feels
rebellious and wants to be left alone. If you have words on your
mind regarding a relationship, they may fall right out of your
mouth when you least expect it. Think carefully about this.

We are approaching an eclipse season that
begins on the 13th. It is possible you will be especially sensitive
to everyone’s feelings this week. Don’t set yourself up for a hard
three weeks now. People can recover. Ruminating over issues is
rarely helpful and it is hard on your overall attitude.

jasper classifieds
announcement

For All Signs: This is the day following the significant
Presidential election of 2012. I hope Mercury’s change
of direction last night did not make hash of the outcome.
Mercury’s shift in Sagittarius, sign of the Laws of the Land,
suggests there may be multiple concerns around the
country about the legality of the election. I published my
projection last week and today I’ll learn whether or
not it was right, near right, or all wrong. Meanwhile,
I have a deadline for this November article on Oct. 15.
Regardless of winners and losers, the astrological fact remains
that Saturn is now firmly in Scorpio. We, the people, must
prepare to pay mightily in taxes. There will also be significant
cutbacks on various programs, grants, or support from the state
and federal levels. Scorpio represents “pooled money” in the
government, the stock market, banks, and even in marriages.
Saturn’s presence in Scorpio will make the reality of the
economy so starkly clear that no one can deny the truth of it.
The “buck stops here”. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200.00.

agittarius: You are in an especially cordial frame
of mind at this time, and likely to invite people to your home, or
to share whatever you have to offer. Your spirits are high and you
have a need to be social. Romance is highlighted, along with the
potential for travel.

C

apricorn: Saturn’s change of signs has probably
brought you to a shift of attention. You may be asked to accept
responsibilities in community affairs or organizations to which
you belong. If the recent years have caused you to take up the
mantle of constant work, it is possible you are realizing that
you’ve become isolated.

A

quarius: You have arrived at a point that I call
“promotion or departure”. If you love your life direction, you
will take on more responsibility and become recognized for your
efforts. If you are ready to dump it, now is the time to choose a
direction and environment that is more suited to you.

P

isces: You would be happy to take the first flight to Tahiti
and never bat an eye over it. Short of that, you may be taking small
mental breaks this week, with lots of daydreaming and drifting.
Make a special effort to keep up with keys, tickets, and other small
items. Paperwork snarls may become a problem.
Are you interested in a personal horoscope?
Vivian Carol may be reached at 704-366-3777 for
private psychotherapy or astrology appointments.
Blog: http//www.horoscopesbyvivian.com

business
opportunities
BE YOUR OWN BOSS. Start your
own business in the health &
wellness industry. Must have
high speed internet. Flexible
hours. Free online training;
www.project4wellness.com.

career training
LEARN FROM HOME.
Earn from home. Medical
Transcriptionists are in
demand. Lots of jobs! Enrol
today for less than $95 a
month. 1-800-466-1535;
w w w.c a n s c r i b e.c o m;
admissions@canscribe.com.

career training
WELL-PAID/LOW-STRESS
Career in Massage Therapy.
Get the best-quality RMT
education in Alberta without
giving up your day job! Visit
www.mhvicarsschool.com or
call 1-866-491-0574 for free
career information.

employment
opportunities
AN ALBERTA CONSTRUCTION
company is hiring Dozer
and Excavator Operators.
Preference will be given to
operators that are experienced
in oilfield road and lease
construction. Lodging and
meals provided. The work
is in the vicinity of Edson,
Alberta. Alcohol & drug
testing required. Call Contour
Construction at 780-723-5051.
PYRAMID CORPORATION is now
hiring! Instrument Technicians
and Electricians for various sites
across Alberta. Send resume to:
hr@pyramidcorporation.com or
fax 780-955-HIRE.
REQUIRED FOR AN ALBERTA
trucking company: One Class
1 Driver. Must have a minimum
of 5 years experience pulling
low boys and driving off road.
Candidate must be able to
pass a drug test and be willing
to relocate to Edson, Alberta.
Scheduled days off. Call Lloyd
780-723-5051.
BLUERIDGE LUMBER INC.
looking for a 3rd & 4th Class
power engineer to operate
thermal liquid heating system.
Excellent compensation and
benefits. Submit resume
to: Box 87, Blue Ridge, AB,
T0E 0B0. Email: jeff.victor@
westfraser.com.
PICKER OPERATOR NEEDED.
Journeyman ticket and safety
tickets required. Located in
Provost, Alberta. Email resume
to: swampdonkeytrucking@
live.ca or fax 780-753-3120.

1112 CABIN CREEK DRIVE - Over
2000 sq ft + basement! Nicely renovated four
level split with four bedrooms up and four
bathrooms. All new carpet and tile floors, new
fixtures, completely repainted.

$589,000

832 GEIKIE STREET - Well cared for
three bedroom bungalow. Two bathrooms,
rudimentary basement development, single
detached garage, quiet street, priced to move!
New R40 insulation to be installed November 1.